YOUTH ENGAGEMENT
Student Action Team at the Minnesota State Capitol in the Governor's Room
WETV member teaching middle schoolers about the dangers of the tobacco industry.
WETV member talking with Representative Herr.
Student Action Team at the Minnesota State Capitol in the Governor's Room
Why Engage Youth?
At ANSR, we believe that youth are not just the future, they're powerful leaders right now. We know young people bring fresh ideas, lived experience, and unmatched energy into commercial tobacco prevention. Their voices have the power to influence their peers, shift community norms, and drive meaningful policy change. By investing in youth leadership, we're helping students build skills in advocacy, public speaking, and organizing, while also ensuring that prevention strategies reflect the realities of their generation.
Meet Our Youth Groups!
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Student Action Team with ANSR President, Jeanne Weigum and Monique Muggli from Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids
Student Action Team members at their 2025 Mini Day at the Capitol.
Ramsey County Student Action Team (SAT)
The Ramsey County Student Action Team (SAT) is led by staff from the Association for Nonsmokers - MN and is partially funded by a grant from the Minnesota Department of Health through the Youth E-Cigarette Prevention and Cessation Initiative as well as a grant from Saint Paul - Ramsey County Public Health through the Statewide Health Improvement Partnership (SHIP) of the Minnesota Department of Health.
A total of 21 youth from 11 communities across Ramsey County participate in the SAT group. They are a dedicated group of youth advocates united by a common mission: stopping Big Tobacco. They’ve witnessed the impact of commercial tobacco use and nicotine addiction on their peers, family members and community, and they refuse to let this insidious industry continue targeting youth.
Members of Ramsey County SAT have advocated at the state and local levels in Minnesota for effective policies to prevent youth tobacco use. At the local level, they have worked to strengthen policies in the cities of Vadnais Heights, Arden Hills and New Brighton, including ending sales of flavored e-cigarettes and other flavored commercial tobacco products, capping the number of retailers allowed to sell tobacco products, and increasing fines for retailers who break the law. They are particularly proud that, in November 2024, the Vadnais Heights City Council voted unanimously to end flavored tobacco sales after members of Ramsey County SAT testified before the council, organized letters of support and submitted letters to the editor in the local newspaper.
At the state level, Ramsey County SAT participated in MN Day at the Capitol, making a bold statement with bright pink “Keep Lungs Loud!” t-shirts. They met with state legislators, engaged with the media and came together to make their voices heard. Their efforts helped convince a local lawmaker to co-sponsor the bill to end flavored tobacco sales.
Group members have also helped conduct compliance checks to ensure retailers aren’t selling tobacco products to youth and educated middle schoolers about the harms of e-cigarettes and other tobacco products.
Recent Accomplishemts
Teens representing the Ramsey County Student Action Team (SAT) accepted the Group Advocates of the Year award from the national organization Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. on May 8, 2025. Clara Seeley of White Bear Lake, Summer Balfanz of Roseville, and Mỹ Linh Nguyẽn of Arden Hills, accepted the award on behalf of the entire SAT group. The award recognizes the group's leadership in preventing nicotine addiction among their peers.
Student Action Team members accepting the "Youth Group Advocates of the Year" Award
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WETV at their 2025 Mini Day at the Capitol
Members of Wash Escapes the Vape in front of the Minnesota State Capitol
Recent Accomplishemts
WETV visited the Minnesota State Capitol to participate in a Mini Day at the Capitol, making a bold statement with bright pink “Keep Lungs Loud!” t-shirts. They met with their state legislators to tell their personal stories, talk about youth commercial tobacco prevention, and how flavored commercial tobacco effects their peers.
Wash Escapes the Vape (WETV)
Wash Escapes the Vape (WETV) is a small but mighty group of high schoolers at Washington Technology Magnet School in St. Paul, MN that is led by staff from the Association for Nonsmokers - MN as well as a Health Educator at the Community Cares - Health Start Program. WETV is funded by a grant from the Minnesota Department of Health through the Youth E-Cigarette Prevention and Cessation Initiative that focuses on building youth leaders to support youth e-cigarette prevention and cessation efforts.
The group has spent time spreading their message and educating their peers on commercial tobacco prevention through in-class presentations and tabling opportunities both in the school and in the community.
Members of Wash Escapes the Vape talking with MN Representative Athena Hollins.
Youth Engagement Best Practices
Engaging youth in commercial tobacco prevention requires thoughtful approaches that empower them to take ownership of their projects and advocacy efforts. At ANSR, we've found that following best practices to be crucial for fostering meaningful, impactful youth involvement.
Youth Led, Adult Supported
At ANSR we do our best to give young people the space to lead while providing guidance behind the scenes. We empower their ideas and help turn their visions into action.
Skip the Scare Tactics
While fear appeals sometimes lead to changes in perceptions or behavior, they are far less effective than strategies that model skills and solutions to limit risk behaviors. Fear appeals can cause trauma and harm, and often do not lead to positive changes.
Consistency Builds Community
Regular meeting times, clear communication, regular action opportunities and follow through help youth feel valued and connected.
Compensate Youth for Their Time
Youth are experts in their own experiences and should be treated as such. At ANSR, we have the ability to offer stipends, gift cards or other forms of compensation for their time, leadership, and creativity.
Celebrate Wins!
Recognize youth contributions, whether it's speaking at a city council meeting or designing a flyer. Appreciation goes a long way!
Current Opportunities for Youth
Are you a high schooler looking to make a difference? Look no further!
Tobacco Retailer Compliance Checks
Visit our North Suburban Tobacco Compliance Project (NSTCP) page to learn more!
Minnesotans for a Smoke-Free Generation Coalition
The coalition welcomes individuals and organizations to become members who are committed to a future where every person is free of commercial tobacco’s harms.
Videos Wanted! We need your voice!
Minnesotan's for a Smoke-Free Generation Coalition is looking to produce a series of brief, face-to-camera video testimonials featuring community leaders—such as students, educators, counselors, coaches, and faith leaders—discussing the negative impacts of commercial tobacco on youth. A videoographer will conduct these five-minute interviews via Zoom. The resulting videos will be shared on Minnesotans for a Smoke-Free Generation's social media channels.
If you would be willing to share your insights, please complete this Google Form: https://forms.gle/2cUqpvuy5rYbjTX8A
Here is an example of what the video would look like:
https://youtu.be/DI0IZNjbbJ4?si=Id2PX6mF5zOnGW3s